The Dhimurru 'Sea Country Plan' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) is an agreement between the Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation (Dhimurru), the Commonwealth Government and the National Oceans Office, to provide for funding, developing and publishing support for a Sea Country Plan (the Plan) for sustainable management of the sea country around the Gove Peninsula.

The outcome of this SRA, the Yolnguwu Monuk Gapu Wanga Sea Country Plan, was launched at the August 2006 Garma Festival. As at November 2006, an extended SRA was being negotiated (Dhimurru Website 2006).

Shared Responsibility Agreements are agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For more information see 'Shared Responsibility Agreement' below.

Purpose

The SRA provides for the resources allowing Dhimurru to engage and collaborate with stakeholders in forming a whole-of-region approach to sustainable sea country management.

Shared Responsibilities

Community individuals with appropriate cultural expertise and traditional knowledge will collaborate with Dhimurru to develop the Plan. The Yolngu clans will actively be involved through employment and consultation in the development and implementation of the Plan.

Dhimurru will provide funds and in-kind support for the development, review and endorsement of the Plan. This includes working in partnership with the Yolngu clans and other stakeholders, and maximising Yolngu employment opportunities in the ongoing management of the sea country around the Gove Peninsula.

The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) has proposed the contribution of $50,400 towards increasing the capacity of Dhimurru to actively engage with all relevant stakeholders in managing the sea country around the Gove Peninsula.

The National Oceans Office (Tas) has proposed the contribution of $30,000 towards the development and publishing the Plan.

The Nhulunbuy Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) will be provided with endorsed copy of the Plan, and will be updated as to the progress of community

The funding of the SRA is subject to the partners entering into a legally binding funding agreement.

Performance Indicators and Feedback Mechanisms

The SRA provides for a final written report on the results of engagement with stakeholders, quarterly meetings with the ICC, and the production of the final, endorsed Plan.